Realize Your Passion

Realize your Passion. Follow your Heart. Catch your Dreams!

I’ve never been the type who is lax at maintaining my happiness. I crave excitement, even in the little things, and strive to elevate life daily. I also live for experience, and although living life to the fullest is such a cliché, overused expression, it’s one of the truest things ever said.

One thing I had been was a free-bird, just sort of riding the wind, chasing down whatever would satisfy me in the moment. I’d set a goal, either for the immediate future or long-term, dabble in or accomplish it, then would abruptly move on to the next thing. I realized that there was a simple explanation for my behavior. There are a lot of things that bring me joy, things I want to experience, and because of that, I am an enthusiast.

Being an enthusiast is great until you start to question who you are, whether you’re on the right path, if you have a purpose, and what your passion is. I’ve had moments of clarity when I knew for certain the answers to those questions. I’ve also had moments where I filtered through the life I’ve lived and wondered “How the hell did I get here?” My moments of clarity occurred after I realized that, as I learn and grow through life, my focus changes to accommodate the woman I am evolving into. I am not more or less passionate. I’m more knowledgeable, self-aware, and after dabbling and experimenting, I know who I am today, and what my passions are. With this certainty, my purpose falls into place naturally.

Realizing your passion(s) can be very elusive, exhausting, frustrating, and take plenty of time. I put together 5 questions with a little guide to help anyone who is in need of some positive reinforcement about your passions in life and how to not only follow your heart, but catch your dreams!

1. What do you daydream about?

I don’t care how young or old you are, you have daydreams. We all do. The more extravagant, seemingly unrealistic, the better! Maybe you imagine yourself as a painter with an exhibit in Paris, a top surgeon, a rock star who sells out world tours, or an entrepreneur who owns several businesses. Whatever it may be, add it to your list of potential passions. Don’t ever think that something is out of your reach.

2. What excites you?

Possibly the same things you daydream about are the things that excite you. Whatever brings you absolute happiness and joy in life is a sign of something being a passion. It could be a hobby, sport, your primary job, a side gig, volunteer work, leisure activities, or something you actually haven’t done yet. Curiosity excites, too, ya’ know.

3. What are your skills/talents?

Whether they are natural or acquired at some point during life, everyone has some sort of skills or talent. It’s okay to revisit areas your excelled at as a child. Remember, some things are ingrained in your DNA. Don’t ever exclude the things you already do well.

4. What do you read about?

If you get lost in novels, magazines, or on blogs, take note of any trend that may be occurring. Are you often reading about fashion, health and beauty, art, travel, food, or medicine? If so, consider that your passion is right in front of you!

5. What do you stand for?

Are you vegetarian, an environmentalist, feminist, peace-keeper, or human rights activist? If you fall under any of these or similar categories, and know precisely why you do, then I think it’s safe to say that you’re on your way to realizing your purpose through your passion. Also, if yourpurpose serves humanity, then I’d say you’re set!

Take some time to think about these 5 questions, and if it helps, start a journal. Search deep into yourself. This is your life! I highly urge you to experiment because this is how you truly find out who you are and where you want to go. Whatever you want to dedicate your time to, that makes your heart smile and your soul shine, do that! It isn’t about the passion itself. It’s about how what you’re doing makes your feel. If it’s more than one thing, find the balance between them and make sure you stay focused. A jack or jane of all trades is cool, but a master of none isn’t.

“Nothing beats a failure but a try.”

Once you master your passions, you could potentially turn them into a career. However, when it comes to doing what you love, the money doesn’t always matter. Some folks would rather have a career with the freedom and flexibility to indulge in their passions on their own time.

If one attempt doesn’t work, shake it off and try something else on your list. Nothing beats a failure but a try, right? Fear and self-doubt encourage failure. If you have even an ounce of this brewing in your mind, admit it to yourself, pinpoint the source of this feeling, and then find the courage to pursue your passions anyway. Let your fear become your motivation.

If anything I’ve said sets you in a positive motion and one step closer to your passion, I want to hear about it!